Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the official hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), are developing a common tourist visa aimed at enabling international visitors to travel across the three countries with a single entry permit during the tournament scheduled for June and July 2027.
Existing Visa Arrangements and Tanzania’s Exclusion
Since 2014, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have operated a joint tourist visa valid for multiple entries over 90 days, with a fee of $100 as described by Uganda’s immigration authority. Tanzania has not joined this scheme due to national security and economic concerns raised in 2014, which included apprehension about revenue sharing and immigration
sovereignty. Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia also remain outside the current three-country visa arrangement.
Unresolved Legal, Financial and Administrative Issues
The proposed AFCON 2027 common visa intends to allow eligible visitors to enter Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda with one visa valid for about four months during the tournament. However, key details including the legal basis, eligibility criteria, fee structure, revenue collection, and immigration controls have not been publicly established. Questions persist on whether the visa would allow unlimited re-entry between the countries, how visitor admissibility decisions will be coordinated, and how revenues will be shared among participating governments.
Political Endorsement and Regional Support
Ugandan President
Yoweri Museveni endorsed the common visa proposal on July 2, 2026, directing officials to collaborate with Kenya and Tanzania on implementation. East African Community Tourism and Wildlife Ministers have also expressed support for facilitating cross-border travel during AFCON 2027. The East African Community, in October 2026, adopted a Tourism Marketing Strategy (2027–2036) emphasizing AFCON 2027 promotion but did not publish final visa regulations.
Traveler Benefits and Past Implementation Challenges
The common AFCON visa could simplify travel for football fans, tourists, officials, and teams by reducing the need for multiple visas across the host countries. In 2016, travelers using the Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda visa encountered additional entry charges and
inconsistent enforcement, indicating challenges in harmonized visa implementation. The temporary nature and defined timeline of the AFCON visa may ease coordination challenges compared to a permanent common visa.
Tourism Targets and Regional Integration Efforts
The East African Community aims to reach 11 million tourist arrivals by the end of 2027, requiring annual growth of about 10.6% from 2025 levels. Though the region markets multi-country wildlife, cultural, and beach destinations collectively, fragmented immigration procedures limit seamless tourism. The AFCON 2027 visa is seen as a pilot to strengthen regional travel facilitation ahead of broader tourism integration initiatives.
Outstanding Questions on Visa Scope and Future
Several critical components remain undecided, including the inclusion of Rwanda
in the AFCON visa scheme, the eligibility of all tourists versus only ticket-holding football spectators, and the permanence of the visa beyond the event. The East African Community Treaty supports cooperation on tourism and wildlife management, but long-standing concerns about sovereignty, revenue allocation, and security have impeded full visa harmonization.
